Rajon Rondo is one of the most confident players in the NBA today, and it sounds like his ACL injury hasn’t hampered his confidence at all. I think Rondo has earned his level of confidence. He has a championship ring, even if he wasn’t the Rajon Rondo of today in 2008. He was still a key member of that championship team.

In the years following 2008, Rondo proved that he was the best passing, or pure point guard in the game. I don’t think that’s even a question. Rondo takes a lot of heat about being a leader, but his track record speaks for it’s self. He led the Celtics twice in 2010.and in 2012 to unlikely runs in the playoffs. During those runs, he’s out played James, and other great players to earn respect around the league.

I think Rondo’s leadership is just fine. I think issues came up last season, because the Celtics started off poorly, and once he got hurt, he wasn’t able to redeem himself. Another issue that doesn’t get much press is the fact that this was still Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett’s team last year. The role of leader was put on Rondo because he’s the best player on the Celtics, who did out play Lebron James for most of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2012. I also realize that Rondo's leadership was questioned because rumors of Ray, and his issues off the court. Then recently his, and Doc's issues as well. I don't see that as an issue. Many great leaders have issues like that. They want to win, and they'll do whatever they have to.

My point is, the players still listened to the two Future Hall of Famers. Until Paul Pierce either retired a Celtic, or if he was traded, like he was. This was never going to be Rondo’s team until that moment.

Rondo’s expectations are high, and for Celtic fans, and for myself. I wouldn’t want anything less from Rondo. His next journey is to show the NBA world that he can lead a team without Paul, Kevin, and even Ray. If Rondo somehow propels this team into the playoffs this season, then why can’t he be mentioned in MVP talks this season? Most NBA writers or analysts have the Celtics as one of the worst teams in the NBA. If Rondo can comeback in December, and do the remarkable once again. Then he should earn some MVP votes.CSNNE

Q: Wasn't your first instinct to be like Adrian Peterson?

RR: No. I want to be like Rajon Rondo (smile). Obviously he came back and had an MVP season. That's the type of season I want to have when I come back. I don't want to come back and just be mediocre or have excuses about why I'm not playing up to par. When I come back, I won't have any excuses. I'll be ready to go. And if I'm not playing up to par, it's just on me. I won't blame it on my knee."
Rondo has never been a player that points the blame, or that uses excesses.I don't think Rondo has it in his makeup to comeback half a$$.

"I love it here. The fans are great here," Rondo said, according to Comcast SportsNet. "And [Celtics president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge]has been straightforward with me. This is my team. Why would I want to leave? Why would I want out? I never really backed away from a challenge. This would be a challenge. I'm looking forward to working with coach [Brad] Stevens. It's a brand new start for us as a team. A lot of new players and a lot of young guys willing to listen, so I'm very excited about that."

Rondo has two years and $24.9 million remaining on his contract. Ainge has stressed all summer he has no desire to trade Rondo and Stevens made an immediate effort to bond with his point guard, traveling to his summer camp in Louisville during his first week on the job.

Rondo has previously noted the immediate bond he formed with his new coach.

"Me and Brad have become best friends," Rondo said on the team's Media Day. "We talk every day, we laugh and joke, we just had dinner the other night. I'm going to help him, he's going to help me. He has my full support, and I told him from day one when he came to my camp [in Louisville for their first meeting in July], I'm 100 percent behind him."